What’s with Arizona?

Arizona has a habit of gratuitously shooting itself in the foot. Its Republicans seem to delight in reminding the world of their state’s intolerance.

First, there was its principled stand against the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. If memory serves, Arizona lost a bid to host a Super Bowl over that one before lawmakers retreated.

Then there’s the “show me your papers” law, which seemed designed to accomplish little besides prove Arizona Republicans hate illegal immigrants (and anyone who might look like them) more than legislators in any other state.

Now, it’s taken Gov. Jan Brewer to save the state from a law that mixes religion, politics, homophobia with that same desire to prove Arizona state legislators are nastier and more bigoted than anyone else.

This bill, which has driven a wedge between Republican constituencies (the business community, John McCain, Jeff Flake and others on one side, preening homophobes on the other) is doubly stupid because it’s unnecessary. As Gail Collins notes, it’s already legal in Arizona to refuse service to gay people. Unlike some other states, sexual preference is not included in Arizona’s anti-discrimination laws. As others have noted, kicking sinners out of your business – or your church – isn’t exactly Christian.

Last we heard, Walter was still in Tucson enjoying the sun. Maybe he can explain Arizona to us.

Rick Holmes

Arizona has a habit of gratuitously shooting itself in the foot. Its Republicans seem to delight in reminding the world of their state’s intolerance.

First, there was its principled stand against the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. If memory serves, Arizona lost a bid to host a Super Bowl over that one before lawmakers retreated.

Then there’s the “show me your papers” law, which seemed designed to accomplish little besides prove Arizona Republicans hate illegal immigrants (and anyone who might look like them) more than legislators in any other state.

Now, it’s taken Gov. Jan Brewer to save the state from a law that mixes religion, politics, homophobia with that same desire to prove Arizona state legislators are nastier and more bigoted than anyone else.

This bill, which has driven a wedge between Republican constituencies (the business community, John McCain, Jeff Flake and others on one side, preening homophobes on the other) is doubly stupid because it’s unnecessary. As Gail Collins notes, it’s already legal in Arizona to refuse service to gay people. Unlike some other states, sexual preference is not included in Arizona’s anti-discrimination laws. As others have noted, kicking sinners out of your business – or your church – isn’t exactly Christian.

Last we heard, Walter was still in Tucson enjoying the sun. Maybe he can explain Arizona to us.